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PUC fines West Penn Power $1.3 million

Staff report

Updated:
08/21/2014 12:52:49 PM EDT

HARRISBURG&GT;&GT; The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Thursday approved a $1.3 million civil penalty against West Penn Power Company for allegedly failing to meet its energy reduction requirement.

The commission voted 5-0 to approve the settlement among the company, the Office of Consumer Advocate and the PUC's independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement. West Penn must pay the civil penalty within 30 days and will not seek to recover any portion of the settlement payment from ratepayers or in rates. The civil penalty would be paid to the state's general fund.

Act 129 of 2008 required each electric distribution company (EDC) with at least 100,000 customers to submit an energy efficiency and conservation plan that would reduce usage by 1 percent by May 31, 2011, and by 3 percent by May 31, 2013. Peak usage also was to be reduced by 4.5 percent by May 31, 2013.

West Penn missed the 2011 deadline, according to PUC investigators. It target was a reduction of 209,387 MWh, but managed a savings of just 90,520 MWh. West Penn reported in November 2011 that it reached its 1 percent energy reduction target.

West Penn met its targets for 2013, according to the PUC.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities.